Media Statements
We are SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are the largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious authority figures (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns and others).
USA--New report says groping rarely prosecuted; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
Today's New York Times reports that unwanted sexual groping is rarely addressed through criminal cases or civil lawsuits. This must change.
PA--Victims group backs ex-Penn State coach
For immediate release, October 17, 2016
Statement of David Clohessy of SNAP (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We hope ex-Penn State coach Mike McQueary wins his civil lawsuit against university officials. Those who report child sex crimes - known or suspected - should be praised, not punished.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
MO--Head of National Guard program should be fired, SNAP says
For immediate release: Monday, Oct. 17, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
The head of the Missouri National Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention program should be fired for saying that assault reports by Donald Trump's alleged victims "bore" her.
NY--Head of Dolan’s victim pay-off plan insults victims; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, Oct. 17, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
Cardinal Tim Dolan’s unilateral, top-down victim pay-off program has barely begun. Yet the man Dolan picked to head it is already insulting and blaming victims. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/17/opinion/victims-of-priests-abuse-face-a-choice.html
MA--Sexual Abuse Support Group Calls for Immediate Removal of Greek Orthodox Chancellor Theodore Barbas
(PRWEB) October 13, 2016
Evidence Suggests Chancellor was Complicit or Negligent in Child Sexual Assault Case, Group Says
"It is clear to us that Fr. Theodore J. Barbas was either complicit in covering for this priest’s predilection for children, or at least intensely negligent in placing him in a position with almost unlimited access to kids."
IL--Statements on Illinois adult abuse case
For immediate release, October 11, 2016
Statement by Laura Merleau-McGrady, suing Fr. Osang Idagbo
Once I began learning more of the stories of others who had similar experiences to mine, I realized that my spiritual and emotional suffering were not unique and I needed to do something to help others avoid falling into the same trap into which I fell. So I am filing this lawsuit to add to the growing number of voices trying to bring to light the corrupt system in the Catholic Church that encourages, allows, and does nothing to stop priests from becoming predators.
CA--Bishop kept quiet about priest arrested for criminal sexual assault
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP western regional director (949) 322-7434 cell, [email protected]
A San Diego priest, Fr. Jacob Betrand, has been criminally charged with sexual assault in Minnesota. He’s also been accused of paying his victim to keep her quiet. But what we find even more troubling is the fact that church officials in San Diego may have known about the allegations for at least four years and did nothing to alert Catholics of the risk.
MN--Victims blast MN prosecutor about accused priest
For immediate release: Friday, Oct. 7, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Our hearts ache for the five kids and their families who have helped police and prosecutors pursue an accused child molesting cleric, Fr. Brian Lederer. They must be terribly distraught that he’s escaped prosecution on all charges.
For the safety of kids, we call on local police and prosecutors to use their ‘bully pulpits’ to prod others with information or suspicions about Fr. Lederer’s crimes to speak up now.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4130255-final-charge-dropped-against-hibbing-priest
NY--More on Dolan's pay off plan: Dollars, not disclosure
Statement by David Clohessy of SNAP (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The Bible says the truth shall set you free. Dolan's scheme, however, conceals truth. No one will learn anything about any clerics who are concealing or have committed heinous child sex crimes. Even worse: no cleric who might commit or conceal child sex crimes will be deterred from doing so. Because Dolan's scheme is about dollars not disclosure. And disclosure is what protects kids, exposes criminals, deters wrongdoing and truly brings healing.
NY--Victims skeptical of Cardinal Dolan’s proposal
For immediate release, October 6, 2016
Statement by Mary Caplan of New York City (Manhattan), former director of SNAP’s New York chapter
As a child, I was abused by a New Jersey priest who took me to New York City and abused me there. I’m very skeptical of Cardinal Dolan’s proposal. It seems like it’s straight out of the US bishops’ lobbying, legal defense and public relations playbook.
Most of all, victims want to protect kids and deter cover ups by exposing corrupt clerics in court. Bishops oppose this. So when victims look like they may get their day in court, bishops feel pressure and take unilateral steps to pacify or pay them off, exploiting their depression and desperation over mounting medical bills, severe therapy needs and continuing personal pain.